Netflix streaming on the Wii goes disc-free

Nintendo has announced that Netflix streaming is now disc-free on the Wii. Americans and Canadians alike will be able to download and install Netflix from the Wii Shop Channel for free, assuming they've got a Wii, a broadband Internet connection, and have signed up for the subscription, which starts at USD $8.99 (or CAD $7.99). The downside is that HD streaming still isn't available on the Wii, unlike on the Xbox 360 and the PS3.

The company also revealed that over three million Wii consoles are using Netflix since the service launched back on April 12, 2010 in the US and on September 22, 2010 in Canada. That means there are now three million useless Netflix discs that will have to be used as coasters and frisbees.

Both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 have received Netflix updates in the last few months. In terms of quality and features available, it looks like the PS3 is first, the Xbox 360 is second, and the Wii is last.